照著 — a method, instructions, or a sample; 照 takes the model, 著 binds the doing to it.

grammar → 照著

TSUMUGU · TBCL 4 (est.) · 語法

照著 grammar point · tier 1 · in accordance with 照（著） (act by following a given model/method)

· zhào (zhe)

Carry out an action so it matches a given model — a method, instructions, or a sample; 照 takes the model, 著 binds the doing to it.

字源 FORM what the parts do

照: fire (灬) underneath, and 昭 — itself holding a sun (日) inside — gives the sound; light thrown onto a thing. The model is what the light falls on. 著 trails after, 者 giving it the sound; the durative zhe pins the action onto that model and holds it bound while the action runs.

故事 STORY a scene to remember it by

A template laid on the desk under the lamp. The hand works on top of it, every stroke landing where the template shows, until the copy carries the same shape.

字源記憶法自撰

框 · Frame

[subj] 照著 [model: method / instructions / sample] [verb phrase]

觸 · Trigger

You did the action by matching it to something already given — a method, a recipe, a sample — and you want to mark that the doing tracked the model.

序 · The move

1Name the model you matched: a method, instructions, a sample.Is it a fixed thing already given, not the goal you are inventing on the spot?

2Put 照著 in front of that model, then the verb phrase after.Does the action come AFTER the model, taking its shape from it?

3Read it back as the model leading and the action following.If it reads as the action leading the model, the order is wrong.

例 · Examples

1我照著zhàozhe — in accordance with, following媽媽的做法zuòfǎ — way of doing it, method包bāo — to wrap水餃。

Following my mom's method, I wrap the dumplings.

界 · Boundary

按照

按照 fronts the whole clause as a standing rule (按照規定 — per the regulation); 照著 sits right before the model the verb directly copies, the doing tracking it move by move.

跟

跟 puts a co-actor alongside you doing the same act (你跟我一起 — you with me); 照著 puts a model in front and shapes your act to it, the model itself not acting.

✗ 照著我的目標包水餃 → ✓ 照著媽媽的做法包水餃 — 照著 takes a fixed model already given, not a goal you set yourself.

✗ 媽媽照著我包水餃 → ✓ 我照著媽媽的做法包水餃 — the model goes after 照著; the one acting goes in front.

✗ 照著做法包水餃媽媽的 → ✓ 照著媽媽的做法包水餃 — the model sits complete right behind 照著, before the verb.

English 'according to / following X' floats freely; 照著 must clamp directly onto the model, with the verb phrase trailing after, not before.